The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-01
Funeral Of melvin w. AIggins,

line funeral OF Melvin w. Higgins, the la
mented night editor of the Argus, took place
at his late residence No. 10 Alder street at
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The atten-
dance was large, all the available rooms in
the house being filled with mourning friends.
Among those present were some of the lead
ing lawyers, doctors and merchants of the
city. Representatives from all the societies
of which Mr. Higgins was a member at
tended. The Portland Typographical Union
assembled in body at the Argus office at
1.30 p. M, and headed by the men who are
connected with the editorial and the busi-
ness departments of the Argus, proceeded 10
the sad house Of death.
The floral tributes were very beautiful and
appropriate. The casket was literally buried
in flowers. A lovely pillow, composed of the
choicest flowers, bearing on its centre the
word Rest, made of forget-me-nots, was
the affectionate offering of the widow and
daughter of the deceased. The tribute from
the employees of the Argus office took the
form Of a broken COLUMN, made of rare flow
ers, entwined with ivy, and the top of the
column encircled with border of
forget-me-nots. AT the base of the
column were the words, '.Good
Night" these being the words writ
ten by the operator on the last sheet of tele-
graph received by the night editor in the
offices of daily morning papers. The gift of
the Portland Typographical Union was a
floral design representing composing stick,
on which appeared in forget-me-nots the
letters "P. I. u" Mr.. Andrew j. Rich's
token Of remembrance was of rare beauty,
both Of design and execution. 1t consisted
of floral shield suspended between two
pillars, also of flowers. At the lower part
Of the shield appeared the name-dear to so
many hearts" Mel" and just below were
these sadly suggestive words, "Good-By.'
The offering sent by the editors and employees
OF the Sunday Times was a lovely floral
pillow, on which rested pen and pencil
made of forget-me-nots. 1t was thought
full and charming tribute. "A beautiful floral
wreath was the offering of the Evening
Express. A lovely pillow bearing the letters
'P. c." was the gift of the Peters Club. At
the foot of the casket was tasteful tribute,
consisting of bunch of white hyacinths,
with a background of the delicate fern
known as Maiden s-hair," the gift of
the two sisters Of the deceased. A bouquet
of rare flowers was the Offering of w. NJ.
Strong Of Boston, formerly an apprentice in
the Argus Office.
The services were opened by the singing
of the hymn. 81 Cannot always trace the
way, by select quartette composed of Mr..
John Morgan, Miss Brown, Miss Morrison,
and Fred Turkey. They sang with great
feeling and expression. Rev. Mr.. Blanchard,
pastor of the First Uniyersalist church, read
selections from the Scripture, recited the
fine poem beginning HE who died at Aim
Sends" made earnest and impressive re-
marks, and closed by offering a touching
prayer. The quartette then sang the beauti-
full selection entitled ''Sleep thy last Sleep"
with sweetest melody. The officers from
Ancient Brothers Lodge, l. o. O. f., per-
formed the funeral services of that order,
and they were followed by officers of Bram-
hall Lodge, Knights Of Pythias, who spoke
over the remains of their dead brother the
solemn words of the burial ritual of this or
der. The pail bearers were John B. Brown,
A. d. Sweetsir, S. a. Maddox and Geo. w.
Green, members of Ancient Brothers Lodge
The remains were taken to Evergreen
Cemetery for interment in the family lot.